Can I use RTI to verify whether my ST certificate qualifies me for a Social Welfare scholarship in Mizoram?

Yes, RTI is a direct and effective way to verify this. Under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the Social Welfare Department — as a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act — is obligated to disclose whether a specific applicant's Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate has been accepted as valid for a particular scholarship scheme, whether any query or discrepancy was raised against the certificate, and the outcome of any verification exercise. If your ST certificate was issued by a competent authority (Sub-Divisional Officer, Deputy Commissioner, or other authority authorised under the Mizoram Scheduled Tribes Order, 1950 and subsequent notifications), you can specifically ask whether it has been accepted and, if not, what the specific objection was. You may also ask for the list of documents required and the list of documents you submitted as per the department's records. This creates a written trail that is useful for any subsequent grievance, appeal, or inquiry before the District Social Welfare Officer or the Social Welfare Department headquarters. If the response reveals that a valid certificate was rejected without proper cause, this forms the basis for a complaint before the First Appellate Authority and, if necessary, the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC).

My pension has not been credited for several months. What specific records should I request through RTI?

When pension is not credited, a precisely targeted RTI can diagnose the exact point of failure — whether the problem is at the department's end (non-release of funds), at the bank's end (failed transfer), or due to a data entry error in the beneficiary list. You should ask for: (1) confirmation that you are on the active beneficiary list for the scheme, along with your beneficiary ID and the amount sanctioned per month; (2) the pension payment register or transaction statement for your beneficiary ID for the months the payment was missed, showing the amount, date, and bank account to which payment was sent; (3) whether any order was passed suspending, withholding, or cancelling your pension — if yes, the date, the reason, and the authority who passed the order; (4) whether the funds for those months were released from the State Finance Department to the Social Welfare Department, and from the Social Welfare Department to the bank or DBT platform — if not, the specific reason for non-release; and (5) whether any error in bank account or Aadhaar seeding details in the beneficiary database is the recorded reason for the failed credit. Armed with the PIO's response, you will know exactly which office or system needs to be approached to fix the problem.

Is the Social Welfare Department the right authority to approach for education scholarships for ST students, or is that the HRD Department?

In Mizoram, the administration of scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students involves more than one department, and the correct authority depends on the specific scheme. The Social Welfare Department administers Central Government-funded scholarships for ST students under schemes such as the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students and the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students — both funded under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and routed through the state Social Welfare Department for disbursement. The Higher and Technical Education Department and the School Education Department (formerly under the School Education and Human Resource Development Department, commonly referred to as the HRD Department) administer state-funded merit scholarships, stipends, and certain Central Sector Scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal. If your concern relates to a scholarship funded under the Tribal Affairs Ministry's schemes or the Social Welfare Department's own state schemes — including old-age pension, disability pension, or the CM's Social Security Scheme — the Social Welfare Department is the correct PIO to approach. If the scholarship is administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by a college or the Higher Education or School Education Department, you should file RTI with the PIO of that department or institution. When in doubt, file with both — Section 6(3) of the RTI Act requires the receiving PIO to transfer your application to the correct office within five days, and the 30-day clock continues from the date of receipt at the correct unit.

Should the Second Appeal in a Mizoram Social Welfare Department RTI go to the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC) or the Central Information Commission (CIC)?

The Second Appeal must be directed to the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC), not to the Central Information Commission (CIC) in New Delhi. The Social Welfare Department is a department of the Government of Mizoram — it is a state government public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. The CIC has jurisdiction only over Central Government ministries, departments, and bodies. Under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, Second Appeals against state government public authorities must go to the State Information Commission of the relevant state. The Mizoram Information Commission was established under Section 15 of the RTI Act and exercises appellate jurisdiction over all public authorities under the Government of Mizoram, including the Social Welfare Department and all District Social Welfare Offices. The MIC can direct disclosure of withheld information, impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the defaulting PIO under Section 20 of the RTI Act, and recommend departmental disciplinary proceedings for persistent or malicious non-disclosure. Filing a Second Appeal with the CIC would be rejected as outside jurisdiction, causing avoidable delay — always direct the Second Appeal to the MIC.

Home/Guides/RTI for Mizoram Social Welfare — ST Tribal Scholarship, Pension and Welfare Schemes

Mizoram

RTI for Mizoram Social Welfare — ST Tribal Scholarship, Pension and Welfare Schemes

Q: What is the correct deadline and procedure for filing a First Appeal if the Social Welfare Department does not respond to my RTI?

If the PIO of the Social Welfare Department (or the District Social Welfare Officer) does not respond within 30 days of receiving your RTI application, or if the response is incomplete, partial, or amounts to an unjustified refusal, you are entitled to file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. The First Appeal is addressed to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — the officer immediately senior to the PIO in the same department. For a District Social Welfare Officer acting as PIO, the FAA is typically the Director or Deputy Director of Social Welfare at the state headquarters in Aizawl. The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. There is no fee for a First Appeal. Attach a copy of your original RTI application, the postal proof of delivery or rtionline.gov.in registration acknowledgement, and the PIO's response (if any). The FAA must decide the First Appeal within 30 days of receipt, extendable to 45 days with reasons recorded in writing. If the FAA also fails to respond within the stipulated period, or the response remains inadequate, you may proceed to a Second Appeal before the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's deadline.

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram to verify scholarship disbursement, pension payment records, and welfare scheme eligibility for tribal ST citizens. Sample draft and FAQs included.

Updated 3 Jun 2026

Quick Facts

MinistrySocial Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram

Address RTI ToPublic Information Officer, Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizoram (or District Social Welfare Officer, [District])

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

Tribal citizens of Mizoram who have applied for a government scholarship, are enrolled under a pension scheme, or are waiting for welfare benefits under the Social Welfare Department sometimes find themselves without any official confirmation of whether their application was processed, whether funds were released, or why a promised payment never arrived. This situation — caught between a formal entitlement and an absent official response — is precisely what the Right to Information Act, 2005 is designed to address. The Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. It is legally required to respond to RTI applications within 30 days of receipt, and any failure to do so is treated as a deemed refusal that gives the applicant a right to appeal. For ₹10 and a single written application, a tribal citizen of Mizoram can obtain scholarship disbursement records, pension payment histories, beneficiary list entries, and the written basis for any denial of their application.

This guide explains the welfare schemes covered, the communities they serve, what RTI can specifically deliver, which authority to approach, and the full process for filing and appealing — all the way to the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC).

Mizoram's Tribal Population: Communities, Councils, and the Sixth Schedule

Mizoram has one of the highest proportions of Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of any Indian state — approximately 94 to 95 per cent of the state's population belongs to one or more of the Scheduled Tribes notified under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. The dominant community is the Mizo (primarily Lusei/Lushai, along with related sub-tribes), who form the majority across most of the state and are centred in and around the Aizawl district. Other significant ST communities include the Hmar, the Chakma, the Mara, the Lai, the Bru (Reang), the Pawi, and several smaller sub-tribal groups.

Understanding the community distinction is practically important for RTI applicants, because the administrative framework for welfare delivery differs across communities and geographic areas.

The Mizo and related communities (Lusei, Ralte, Fanai, Hmar, Thado-Kuki in some parts, and others classified under the Mizo group) constitute the administrative mainstream of the state. Scholarship and welfare schemes for these communities are administered primarily through the Social Welfare Department headquartered in Aizawl, with district-level implementation through the District Social Welfare Officers (DSWOs) in each of the eleven revenue districts: Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Mamit, Saitual, Khawzawl, Hnahthial, and Siaha.

The Chakma, Lai, and Mara Autonomous District Councils

The southern and southeastern districts of Mizoram — primarily Lawngtlai district (Chakma and Lai areas) and Siaha district (Mara area) — are home to three distinct communities whose governance is partially covered by the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC), and the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) were constituted under the Sixth Schedule and have legislative powers over certain subjects including social welfare within their respective jurisdictions. These Autonomous District Councils run their own welfare schemes and maintain their own records alongside — and sometimes instead of — those of the state Social Welfare Department.

This has direct practical implications for RTI applicants from these communities: welfare scheme records may be held at the Autonomous District Council level rather than (or in addition to) the state Social Welfare Department. If your RTI to the Social Welfare Department PIO in Aizawl returns a "records not held" response for a scheme that appears to be run by the CADC, LADC, or MADC, this is frequently the explanation. In such cases, the RTI should be filed with the PIO of the relevant Autonomous District Council. The Sixth Schedule bodies — including the three Autonomous District Councils — are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act and are subject to the same RTI obligations, with the same 30-day response time, first appeal, and second appeal process to the MIC.

The Bru (Reang) Community

The Bru (also called Reang) community — a Sixth Schedule-listed tribe in Mizoram and several neighbouring states — has experienced a complex history of internal displacement and rehabilitation. A substantial portion of the Bru population was resettled in Tripura following ethnic conflict in the late 1990s, with a phased return and permanent settlement process concluded under the Central Government's 2020 Bru Reang Rehabilitation Package, with relocation to various districts of Mizoram. Welfare scheme administration for resettled Bru families has involved both the Central Government (Ministry of Home Affairs, through National Disaster Management Authority and state administration channels) and the Mizoram Social Welfare Department. RTI applicants from the Bru community should identify whether the specific scheme they are inquiring about is a Central Government scheme administered centrally, or a Mizoram state scheme, and file with the appropriate PIO accordingly.

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students

The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribes is a Central Government scheme funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, and implemented in Mizoram through the Social Welfare Department. It covers ST students studying in classes IX and X in government or government-recognised schools. The scholarship covers a maintenance allowance and an ad-hoc grant. Applications are typically submitted through the school or through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in. The Social Welfare Department is the nodal agency responsible for verifying ST status, approving beneficiaries, and releasing funds to the students' bank accounts (Direct Benefit Transfer). RTI can verify whether a specific student's application was received, whether it was approved or rejected (and on what grounds), and whether the scholarship amount was disbursed to the correct bank account.

Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students

The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students is similarly a Central Government scheme administered through the state Social Welfare Department. It covers ST students pursuing studies at the post-secondary level — from class XI onwards through graduation, post-graduation, and professional/technical courses. The scheme covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and a study tour charge. For Mizoram ST students studying within the state, the Social Welfare Department manages the verification and disbursement process. For those studying in other states, the Social Welfare Department coordinates with the host state's administration or the receiving institution. RTI can reveal the full disbursement history for a specific student, any mismatch between the amount sanctioned and the amount actually credited, and whether the institution in which the student is enrolled has been correctly registered on the scholarship platform.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) — operated jointly by the Central Government and the state — includes the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), which provides monthly pension to persons above 60 years of age who are BPL (Below Poverty Line). The Social Welfare Department in Mizoram implements this scheme, with beneficiary lists maintained at the district level through the District Social Welfare Officers. The state government supplements the Central contribution with a state top-up in many cases. RTI can verify whether a specific elderly person is on the active beneficiary list, the amount of pension sanctioned (Central share and state share), the payment history showing the date and amount credited for each month, and the reason for any month where payment was not made.

Disability Pension

The Social Welfare Department administers a disability pension scheme for persons with disabilities in Mizoram, both under the NSAP (Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, IGNDPS) and under state schemes. Eligibility typically requires a disability certificate issued by a designated medical authority confirming at least 80 per cent disability for the Central scheme (and varying thresholds for state schemes). RTI can confirm whether a specific individual is on the active beneficiary list, the pension amount sanctioned, the payment history, and — importantly — whether a disability certificate submitted has been accepted or flagged as invalid by the department.

The Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme is a state-funded welfare scheme operated by the Social Welfare Department to provide monthly financial assistance to categories of vulnerable persons not covered by the Central NSAP — including widows below the poverty line, destitute persons, and certain categories of persons with disabilities or terminal illness. Beneficiary selection and management are conducted at the district level. RTI can establish whether a specific person is on the approved beneficiary list, the amount sanctioned, and the payment history. It can also reveal how many beneficiaries were approved in a specific district for a given financial year and whether the approved list is publicly available.

Chakma Welfare and Sixth Schedule Schemes

The Chakma Autonomous District Council administers its own welfare schemes within its jurisdiction in Lawngtlai district, including educational scholarships for Chakma students, vocational training, and social welfare grants. The state Social Welfare Department may also operate parallel schemes in these areas. RTI to the CADC's PIO can obtain the beneficiary lists, scholarship amounts sanctioned, payment records, and eligibility criteria under CADC-administered schemes. The RTI Act applies to the CADC as a public authority under Section 2(h), and the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC) has jurisdiction over Second Appeals against CADC decisions.

What RTI Can Specifically Deliver

An RTI application to the Social Welfare Department or the District Social Welfare Officer can reliably produce the following:

Scholarship application registration confirmation: Whether a specific student's scholarship application was received by the department, the registration or reference number, and the date of receipt.
Approval or rejection records: Whether the application was approved or rejected, on what specific grounds, and by which authority.
Disbursement history: The date, amount, and bank account to which each scholarship instalment was credited — and the reasons for any amounts withheld or not credited.
Fund flow tracking: Whether the Central share of scholarship funds was released from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the state Social Welfare Department, and whether the state portion was released from the State Finance Department — and if not, at which level the funds are stuck.
Pension beneficiary confirmation: Whether a specific person is on the active pension beneficiary list for any NSAP or state pension scheme, their beneficiary ID, and the amount sanctioned.
Pension payment history: Month-by-month records of pension credits, including the date and amount of each credit, and the documented reason for any missed payment.
Scheme suspension or cancellation orders: Whether a scholarship or pension was suspended or cancelled, the reason as recorded in department files, and the authority who passed the order.
Beneficiary lists: The list of approved beneficiaries for a specific scheme, district, and financial year — names, communities, and amounts sanctioned — to the extent disclosable under the RTI Act.
Grievance records: Whether a specific complaint was received, to whom it was referred, and what action was taken.
ST certificate verification records: Whether a submitted ST certificate was accepted or flagged, and the basis of any objection.

Where to File: Identifying the Correct PIO

The Social Welfare Department in Mizoram operates through a two-tier administrative structure for RTI purposes:

District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO): Each revenue district has a District Social Welfare Officer who handles scheme implementation, beneficiary management, and disbursement at the district level. For RTI applications concerning a specific scholarship applicant, a specific pension beneficiary, or a scheme operating within a particular district, the DSWO is the most appropriate first point of contact. The DSWO's office address can be verified from the Social Welfare Department's website or by contacting the district collectorate.

Social Welfare Department, State Headquarters, Aizawl: For state-level policy matters, queries about fund releases from the state treasury, scheme guidelines, or matters that span multiple districts, the PIO at the Social Welfare Department headquarters in Aizawl – 796 001 is the appropriate authority. This is also the appropriate authority if a DSWO has been unresponsive or if the matter involves the Director of Social Welfare's decisions.

Autonomous District Councils: For welfare schemes run by the Chakma, Lai, or Mara Autonomous District Councils, RTI must be filed with the PIO of the respective Council. These are separate public authorities from the state Social Welfare Department.

RTI applications to Mizoram state government bodies are filed through the Central Government RTI Portal at rtionline.gov.in — Mizoram uses this national portal for online filing. Alternatively, a postal application may be sent directly to the PIO of the relevant office with a crossed Indian Postal Order of ₹10. BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee and should attach a self-attested copy of their BPL ration card.

How to File: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 — Identify the correct PIO and gather your reference details

Before drafting your application, confirm the name of the specific scheme you are inquiring about, the district in which the application was filed, the academic year or financial year, and any application reference or beneficiary ID you have been given. The more specific your reference details, the more precise and complete the PIO's response will be. For scholarship queries, note the student's name as per the application form, the institution name and district, and the academic year. For pension queries, note the beneficiary's name, address, and the name of the scheme.

Step 2 — Draft your RTI application

Use the sample draft provided above as a template, adapting it to the specific scheme and information you need. Number each request clearly. Use factual, precise language — avoid allegations, emotional language, or legal conclusions. Each numbered question should seek a specific piece of information: a date, a number, a name, an amount, or the reason for a specific action.

Step 3 — File online via rtionline.gov.in

The Central Government's RTI online portal at rtionline.gov.in accepts online RTI applications for Mizoram state government bodies. To file:

Visit rtionline.gov.in and log in or register using your mobile number and OTP.
Select the state government category and navigate to Mizoram → Social Welfare Department (or the relevant district-level office).
Enter your information sought in the text box. Upload any supporting documents (previous correspondence, application receipt, disbursement slip, etc.) if relevant.
Pay the ₹10 application fee online. BPL cardholders may upload a self-attested copy of the BPL ration card to claim fee exemption.
Submit the application and record the registration number — this is essential for tracking and for any appeals.

Filing by post: If filing by post, send your application by speed post or registered post to the PIO at the DSWO office of the relevant district, or at the Social Welfare Department headquarters in Aizawl, with a crossed Indian Postal Order for ₹10. Retain the postal receipt and a copy of the full application.

Step 4 — File a First Appeal if there is no response within 30 days

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days of receipt of your application, or if the response is incomplete, partial, or amounts to an unjustified refusal, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — the officer immediately senior to the PIO. For a DSWO acting as PIO, the FAA is typically the Deputy Director or Director of Social Welfare at state headquarters. The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. No fee is payable. Attach the original RTI application, your postal receipt or rtionline.gov.in acknowledgement, and the PIO's response (if any). The FAA must decide within 30 days, extendable to 45 days with reasons in writing.

Step 5 — File a Second Appeal to MIC if the First Appeal is also unsatisfactory

If the FAA's response is also inadequate or absent, file a Second Appeal with the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's deadline. The MIC was established under Section 15 of the RTI Act and exercises appellate jurisdiction over all public authorities under the Government of Mizoram. It can direct disclosure of information, impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) under Section 20, and recommend departmental disciplinary proceedings.

Important: Second appeals against the Social Welfare Department or any District Social Welfare Office must go to the MIC — not to the CIC. The CIC has no jurisdiction over state government public authorities.

Common Reasons Scholarship Payments Fail — and How RTI Addresses Each

Scholarship non-payment or delays typically fall into one of several categories, and a well-framed RTI application can establish the exact point of failure:

Fund not released by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to state: The Central share of scholarship funds is released by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the state Social Welfare Department. Ask for confirmation of whether the Central share was received by the state for the relevant year and scheme, and on what date.

Fund stuck at state Social Welfare Department level: Even after Central funds are received by the state, delays in internal releases from the state Finance Department or in processing by the Social Welfare Department are common. Ask for the date on which funds were released from the Social Welfare Department to the bank/DBT platform.

Bank account or Aadhaar seeding error: Many scholarship disbursements fail at the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) stage due to a mismatch between the beneficiary's Aadhaar number and their bank account seeding. Ask whether a DBT failure or return was recorded for the beneficiary, the reason for the failure, and whether the corrected bank account details were resubmitted.

Application not approved due to documentation gap: Ask specifically whether the application was rejected, and if so, what specific document was missing or inadequate, the date of rejection, and whether a rejection notice was sent and by what means.

Beneficiary removed from list without notice: Pension beneficiaries are sometimes removed from active beneficiary lists due to database errors or administrative decisions made without individual notice. Ask whether the beneficiary's name continues to appear on the active list, and if removed, the date and reason for removal.

Tips for a Stronger RTI Application

Be scheme-specific: Name the exact scheme (Pre-Matric Scholarship, Post-Matric Scholarship, IGNOAPS, CM's Social Security Scheme, etc.) in both the subject line and each question. Generic references to "scholarship" or "pension" will invite generic or evasive responses.
Include reference numbers wherever available: Application registration numbers, beneficiary IDs, scholarship disbursement orders, NSP application numbers, and bank reference numbers all help the PIO locate the specific record quickly.
Ask for both sanctioned and disbursed amounts: The amount sanctioned and the amount actually credited to the bank account are often different. Asking separately for each — along with the date and mode of each credit — reveals any shortfall or diversion at the disbursement stage.
Request records in tabular form for payment history: If asking for a multi-year payment history, specifically request the information in tabular format showing each payment date, amount, and reference number. This is easier for the PIO to compile and easier for you to use in follow-up action.
For Autonomous District Council schemes, file with the correct Council: If the scheme is run by the CADC, LADC, or MADC, filing with the state Social Welfare Department PIO may return a "records not held here" response. Identify the correct Council authority before filing.
Retain all documents: Keep copies of the RTI application, the postal receipt or online registration number, all responses, and all appeal documents. These form the documentary basis for action before the MIC or before any grievance mechanism.
Do not delay filing First Appeals: The 30-day window for a First Appeal runs from the date the response was due — not from the date you follow up. Diarise the deadline as soon as you file your RTI.
Second appeal goes to MIC, not CIC: The Social Welfare Department is a state authority. All Second Appeals must be directed to the Mizoram Information Commission. Filing with the CIC is incorrect and will result in the case being returned as outside jurisdiction.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram
(or: District Social Welfare Officer, [District Name], Mizoram)
[Office Address, District], Mizoram – [PIN Code]

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Scholarship Application Status, Payment Disbursement History, Pension Records, Beneficiary List, and Grievance Status

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], hereby submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, and request the following information from the Social Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram, in respect of the welfare scheme(s) detailed below.

Applicant/Beneficiary details:
  Name: [Full Name of Scholarship/Pension Applicant or Beneficiary]
  Father's/Husband's Name: [Name]
  Community/Tribe: [e.g., Mizo / Chakma / Hmar / Lai / Mara / other ST community]
  District: [District Name], Mizoram
  Application/Enrolment No. (if known): [Reference Number]
  Scheme: [e.g., Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students / Old-Age Pension / Disability Pension / CM's Social Security Scheme / other]
  Academic Year / Financial Year (if applicable): [e.g., 2024–25]

Information sought:

1. Whether the scholarship application submitted by [Name] for the [Academic Year], for the [pre-matric / post-matric / merit-cum-means] scholarship for Scheduled Tribe students, was received and registered by this office — if yes, the application registration number, the date of receipt, and the current stage of processing; if the application is pending, the specific reason for delay and the name and designation of the officer currently holding the file.

2. The complete payment disbursement history for [Name]'s scholarship for academic years [YEAR–YEAR to YEAR–YEAR] — specifically the amount sanctioned for each year, the amount actually disbursed, the date of each disbursement, the mode of payment (direct bank transfer / bank account number to which payment was sent), and whether any instalment was withheld or deducted, along with the reason.

3. Whether any scholarship amount meant for [Name] for the academic year [YEAR–YEAR] was released from the Social Welfare Department / Ministry of Tribal Affairs to the institute or directly to the student — if so, the date, amount, and the reference/UTR number of the transaction; if not released, the specific reason for non-release and the current status.

4. Whether [Name] is registered as a beneficiary under [Old-Age Pension Scheme / Disability Pension Scheme / CM's Social Security Scheme / other welfare scheme, as applicable] maintained by the Social Welfare Department — if yes, the beneficiary ID/registration number, the pension amount sanctioned per month, and the current status of disbursement (active / suspended / cancelled).

5. The complete pension payment history for [Name]'s account under [Scheme Name] for the period [Month/Year to Month/Year] — specifically each month for which pension was credited, the amount credited, the date of credit, and the bank account details to which it was sent; and for any month(s) where pension was not credited, the reason as recorded in your office.

6. The complete beneficiary list of [Scheme Name] approved for [Village / Block / District] for the financial year [YEAR–YEAR], including the name, age, community, and amount sanctioned for each beneficiary — to the extent disclosable under the RTI Act, 2005.

7. Whether any complaint or grievance was received from [Name] or on [Name]'s behalf regarding the non-receipt of scholarship / pension / welfare benefits — if yes, the date of receipt, the authority to whom it was referred, and the outcome or current status of the complaint.

8. Whether [Name]'s ST certificate / caste certificate issued by the competent authority has been accepted as valid by the Social Welfare Department for the purpose of the above scheme — if any query or discrepancy was raised, the details of such query, the date, and the action taken.

I am enclosing the application fee of ₹10 [via online payment / Indian Postal Order].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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